Getting Ready for Your Boudoir Session
Working with Moon & Mango
Boudoir sessions are an incredible way to feel empowered in your own skin–but it can definitely put you out of your comfort zone, especially if this is your first time! Here are a few tips and recommendations to help you prepare to feel comfortable and prepare for your boudoir session.
Consent is Key
The first and foremost thing I want you to know is that Consent is Key with me. I want you to feel safe with me and feel like you can trust me. I pride myself on creating an environment where you can be yourself and not feel pressured to do anything that you don’t want to do.
When you come in, I’ll typically have snacks and drinks available. (A little food and a beverage can help a person relax!) We’ll also talk about what poses you’re comfortable doing–sitting, standing, on your back or front, etc.
Throughout our shoot I’ll direct and guide you through poses. If at any point you’re uncomfortable, you can let me know and I will stop immediately, no questions asked, and pivot to something more in your comfort zone. Likewise, while I try to keep my language neutral and respectful, if there are specific things that I say that you’re not comfortable with I will always respect that with no judgement. (For instance, some folks don’t like to be called “love” or “dear”.)
No matter what, as long as you and I are clearly communicating about our boundaries in a respectful way, we’re going to have a great time!
What should I bring with me?
Outfits: For a one-hour shoot, I recommend bring 1-3 outfits. For a mini-session, I recommend just 1 maybe 2 outfits. You’re also welcome to bring more than that and we can talk through the options together!
Extras and Accessories: Shoes, garters, robes, stockings, knee-high socks, jewelry, etc. You can also bring something of your partner’s–like a button down shirt–to wear, or an oversized sweater.
Lotion, Make-up, Hairbrush, Bobby pins, Hair ties, etc: Keeping your skin moisturized is always a good idea (especially here in NY) and bringing extra make-up and hair supplies is great for touch-ups between shots or outfits.
Water and Light Snacks: I’ll have an assortment of snacks and drinks with me, but if you’ve got specific preferences feel free to bring them!
What should I wear to my boudoir session?
Picking out what to wear for a boudoir photo session is totally different than picking out what to wear for any other photo session you might have, isn’t it? You’re trying to decipher what looks most flattering, how bold you should go, what makes YOU feel beautiful, and what you think your guy would like best. It’s a lot to think about - I get it! So, let me share some of my top tips for picking out what to wear for your next boudoir session to ease your mind & get you excited about these special photos!
Highlight your best asset.
We are all on a different journey of learning to love our bodies and be thankful for the unique way we were designed. Having insecurities about certain parts of our body are totally normal, but hopefully we’re moving towards a place of positivity as we work through some of those feelings.
On the questionnaire I send my clients before their boudoir session, I always ask what they love most about their body, what they’re still learning to love, & what their significant other loves most about their body. (It’s often ironic how what we are most self-conscious about is something that our person loves most about us!) The answers to these questions are helpful in guiding what I choose to emphasize most during our session.
So, what do you love most about your body? Stop and think for a second. When it’s time for your photoshoot, pick outfits that accentuates just that! Is it the color of your eyes, your long legs, your hair, your biceps, your hands, your boobs, your butt, your stomach? Be sure to take the time to pick something that highlights your best feature! This will give you a boost of confidence and confidence always photographs well. :)
Choose an outfit that reflects your personality.
All of your photos are going to be sexy, duh. But, what else do you want your photos to communicate? Are you serious? Playful? Sporty? Casual? Lace lingerie is typically the first thing that pops into people’s minds when they think about choosing what to wear for a boudoir photoshoot, but don’t be afraid to think outside of that box to choose something that fits your style!
For example, if you’re the sporty type, you could rock some nikes with a shirt and no bra. We could even break out the coconut oil to make you look sweaty. ;) If you lean towards the casual side, Calvin Klein panties & sports bra with jean shorts is such an amazing combo! If you’re fierce, black leather definitely adds some edginess.
Black & lacy is always a classic sexy look.
Black and lacy is always a winner when it comes to looking & feeling sexy. There’s just something about it! Your black and lacy boudoir outfit can vary in style, but some favorites I have seen are black one-piece teddies, black lace robes, high-waisted black lace boy short bottoms, and black two-piece lingerie pieces. Pair it with a pair of black heels and I promise you will feel rockin.
Don’t forget the details.
I’m talking shoes, jewelry, lipstick, nail polish, etc! Think through the little things that will make you feel beautiful. Picking out what to wear for your boudoir session can be a lot to think about & it’s easy to forget about the little details, but they will be important for making you feel amazing!
Bring something that belongs to your Other!
This is the perfect way to communicate that these photos are for their eyes only and that you had them in mind during your session. Wearing something of theirs personalizes the look and says you are his girl. Trust me, he will love it! Some examples of what this could be are a flannel button up, t-shirt, a jersey, or one of their work shirts. If you don’t want to wear their clothes, think of something that has meaning to them instead. For example, one of my clients brought her husband’s guitar to her boudoir session and it added such an interesting and personal element to the shoot!
Overlooked Ways to Prepare for your Boudoir Session
1. Clean and shape your nails
Your Fingers AND your Toes!! They are both important.
2. Clean the soles of your feet
Once again, we're on the feet topic! I know, not appealing BUT your feet will end up featured in some of your photos! Especially the ones with a focus on that peachy boottyyy!
3. Take that hair tie off your wrist!
Okay seriously, this is one of those little details that ALWAYS gets overlooked. Heck when I start a session, sometimes it takes me a few shots before I even notice!
4. Don't wear restricting clothing before your session
Trust me on this one pleasseee.. If you wear restricting clothing before your session, you WILL have lines imprinted on your body
5. Don't cut or dye your hair less than 5 days before your session
You may be thinking this is a weird one, but your hair needs time to settle after a big change! If you don't wait, your hair will not be relaxed in it's natural shapes or directions.
6. stay away from spray or self tanner less than 7 days before your session
I know that there are some people who like to add a little spice to their skin and that's totally fine! It's your body, you do you boo!! BUT just be wearing of when you do so. Plan ahead and add your colour early. This will ensure a couple of things.
Your tan won't rub off onto your surroundings.
We will be rolling around, twisting, arching, crawling etc. If your ran runs onto the bedding, carpets or client wardrobe, that can mean a lot of extra cleaning after your session and maybe some ruined materials.
Maybe you missed a spot?
Self tanners especially, can sometimes turn out uneven or with missed spots. Leaving this time before your session to get your tan done, can ensure that you have time to fix any mistakes!
7. Touch up your eyebrows
This one is not for everyone! If you like your eye brows natural and you don't pluck, wax, thread or anything else, then more power to ya babe. But if you are someone who likes to get those bad boys shaped and pampered, you will definitely want to get that done a day or so before your empowerment/boudoir photoshoot.
For waxers/threaders, go at least 3-5 days before your session so that you aren't red or puffy!
8. Drink lots of water the day before
Honestly we should all be drinking lots of water daily but sometimes we just get too distracted and busy with life that we don't. But drinking water has so many benefits and can really change the way you look in your images. Drinking water before your session gives you beautiful dewy and glowing skin. It may sound counterproductive, but in reality, drinking plenty of water can help keep bloating down because it naturally flushes our systems of excess water and sodium that we might retain, helping to keep bloating down.
9. Don't eat or drink anything with dyes the day of your session
This is a huge one actually. Eating foods with dyes, especially orange and red, will stain your mouth! It is really not a flattering look in your final images. Stay away from any pasta, deep dyed candies, coloured drinks without a straw, etc. as much as you can.
10. Iron your outfit
If you are wearing something that wrinkles really easily, iron it before your session! Wearing wrinkly outfits is really not the look. Boudoir and Empowerment sessions are meant to be seen as soft, sensual, and empowering. There is nothing soft about a million lines all over your beautiful silk slip or robe.
If you have a piece that you are dead set on wearing to your session, and it is made out of a fabric that wrinkles easily, iron it before your session. It will lay more elegantly on your body.
11. Stretch
Make sure you stretch because babe this will feel like a workout! You will be arching your back and pushing that booty out more than you ever have before. You will also be hanging out on your tippy toes a little bit so stretch those legs! Stretch before AND after your session. Your body will ache for a little bit, but it is that kind of ache that feels good - like that refreshing achy feel after a workout.
12. Try Using Gel or spray deodorant
To avoid white pilling/build up in your underarms try a gel or spray deodorant. Your underarms will be seen! I like to create natural shapes using your arms and legs. This means that sometimes you will have your arms up, in your hair, over your head, across your body and anywhere else I think will look creative and sensual.
13. Eat some damn breakfast
Not eating in the morning will NOT help make you look thinner during your session!!!! Please eat food before your session. If you don't, you are likely to end up feeling sick and lightheaded during your session. Remember, this isn't just laying down relaxing, you will be moving around and holding positions - basically doing yoga. Working out without food and water in your system is unhealthy and can cause some serious safety issues.
Plus, who tf doesn't like breakfast foods? Start your day right and fill that hungry tummy!
Empowerment sessions are not just for cisgender women. Everyone can and deserves to experience this deep and raw connection with their bodies. "Every body is a boudoir body."
So f**k stereotypes and gender roles, fall in love with yourself!
All genders, races - HUMANS are welcome in this space.
A boudoir shoot doesn’t necessarily need to be sexy lingerie. You can wear anything that makes you feel strong and beautiful! For some folks, that’s comfy sweaters or shorts with an open flannel shirt. For some, that’s a cute lingerie set. And for some–it’s tastefully nude! All are welcome here!
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